Grading Practices
Grading Assessments
Grading & Demonstrated Levels of Understanding
At MCCPS, student grades are not averaged in the traditional manner. Instead, the teachers determine each student’s demonstrated level of understanding at the end of each term based upon the evidence that has been presented in the student’s work. Thus, students are not penalized for early mistakes, but rather are given multiple, increasingly complex opportunities to show that they have learned/can do what is expected of them. Each term it is expected that the students will demonstrate a proficient understanding of the topics/skills that have been presented. Although this innovative approach requires a mind-shift for most adults, we believe that this distinction provides more detail about each child’s progress and achievement. To accomplish this task, the teachers consider 1) the depth of understanding/the degree of difficulty required of an assignment, and 2) the quality of the work that is produced.
Complexity of Assessments
Timing and Quantity: How Many Assessment, When
Proportion of C's, D's, and I's
Classification: Minding C's, D's, and I's